Any thoughts on sailing routes: Gib to Falmouth?

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NealB

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Jos and I have made the trip from the UK to Mediterranean (and the reverse) on 4 occasions, in 3 different boats.

So far, we've always used the French inland waterways, and absolutely love those routes.

However, I've a yearning to do it the proper seaman's way, at some time (ie round the outside).

There's currently a boat for sale in the Mediterranean that I'm seriously tempted by, so this could be the very opportunity.

I realise that, wind and current wise, south to north is likely to be hard sailing.

Broadly speaking, there are two main options: 'inshore', following the coastline, or a long tack out towards the Azores before another tack towards the Channel.

Any opinions, experiences or advice, particularly from those who have been there and done that, would be extremely useful.

We'd be looking at next summer (May to mid August).

Thanks.
 
Never done it, but a good mate has several times.

He only tried the coastal route once and was very rude about it. Adverse current, fog, fishing boats and commercial traffic, strong N winds near headlands, lots of motoring especially in the mornings.

Every time since he's headed northwest off of soundings, aiming to pick up the S side of a depression heading for N Europe. Longer distance, but quicker and more enjoyable is his verdict.
 
Hmm.....food for thought there!

"He only tried the coastal route once and was very rude about it. Adverse current, fog, fishing boats and commercial traffic, strong N winds near headlands, lots of motoring especially in the mornings".

Thank you TK.
 
If you have the time, I'd go to the Azores stay there for a week or four wait for a good time to leave and head for the channel. You don't get many opportunities where the Azores are kind of in the right direction and this is one of them.
 
Twister_Ken said:
Never done it, but a good mate has several times.

He only tried the coastal route once and was very rude about it. Adverse current, fog, fishing boats and commercial traffic, strong N winds near headlands, lots of motoring especially in the mornings.

Every time since he's headed northwest off of soundings, aiming to pick up the S side of a depression heading for N Europe. Longer distance, but quicker and more enjoyable is his verdict.
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Oddly, some friends of ours took their yacht from Gib to Plymouth over two weeks in September and had a fine time....

Forums, eh?
 
I have sailed the route three times. First occasion was via the Azores in June. Excellent sailing with F4-5 aft the beam all the way to Ireland. Second occasion was also via the Azores in June. A depression forecast to be south of the Azores took a more northerly track and I spent four days hove-to in F9. A yacht that left at the same time as me was dismasted.

On the third occasion (April), I intended to sail via the Azores but the forecast was for SE winds for several days so I sailed along the Portuguese coast to Peniche where I was held up for a week by a change to northerlies. The SE flow was re-established and I had an enjoyable sail to Bayona.

If I were to repeat the trip (singlehanded) I would plan to return via the Azores but, if there were to be an unexpected weather window, would take advantage of it and follow the coastal route.
 
Never done it in a yacht, but done the ocean route in a square rigger. I think that would be my preference in a yacht as well. Get away from the complications of the land out into safe clear water (we didn't see another vessel for a week between the Azores and the Channel). If you have a means of getting weather information you can stay on the favourable side of highs and lows - of course on the ship we had weather info coming in by Inmarsat, and in morning briefings the Captain explained how the lows were moving and what we were doing in response.

Pete
 
>Broadly speaking, there are two main options: 'inshore', following the coastline, or a long tack out towards the Azores before another tack towards the Channel.


Don't go up the coast it's upwind up current with strong gusts around the headlands, a total nightmare. As you said tack towards the Azores and turn when you pick up westerlies.
 
NealB said:
Jos and I have made the trip from the UK to Mediterranean (and the reverse) on 4 occasions, in 3 different boats.

So far, we've always used the French inland waterways, and absolutely love those routes.

However, I've a yearning to do it the proper seaman's way, at some time (ie round the outside).

There's currently a boat for sale in the Mediterranean that I'm seriously tempted by, so this could be the very opportunity.

I realise that, wind and current wise, south to north is likely to be hard sailing.

Broadly speaking, there are two main options: 'inshore', following the coastline, or a long tack out towards the Azores before another tack towards the Channel.

Any opinions, experiences or advice, particularly from those who have been there and done that, would be extremely useful.

We'd be looking at next summer (May to mid August).

Thanks.
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Done it many times.
Best plan, is to check next 5 days weather, before departing Gib & then deciding.
If there is enough wind, then you can go out further & enjoy it.
If lots of high pressure systems & no wind, then the coastal route is my suggestion, because you are likely to be motoring. If motoring, you will need to refuel & there aint any fuel stops offshore.

Had this very discussion on a delivery with an owner, who wanted to follow 'traditional sailing route' (he had read about in Admiralty Sailing instructions), by going off towards the Azores for about 150 miles, then turning right to pick up any westerlies. The problem, checking weather, was that there were no westerlies predicted & with no wind, would have motored until out of fuel some 150 miles offshore, where we would have been a sitting duck awaiting some unknown weather system. We went North along coast, picking up fuel in Sines & Vigo. We didn't get any proper wind until Ushant.
That was early March.

A few weeks later, a boat going the other way, abandoned because of horrific weather off Finisterre & the skipper died. Both crew resued & boat was found undamaged later.

My suggestion - check the weather & then make a call.
 
It depends on what you call " 'inshore', following the coastline"
Coast hopping up Portugal and Spain as far as La Coruna is, but from there crossing to Cameret or St Evette, then L'AberWrac'h - Falmouth or Cameret - Falmouth.
 
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Done it back and forth four times in all.
If you choose the coastal route, don't hug the Spanish and Portuguese coast.
Get a good offing of at least 40 miles away from shipping and fishing boats and then head for Falmouth.
 
This thread comes up frequently and the normal suspects will tell you that it's a nightmare frought with northerlies blowing old socs 24/7 with dastardly currents. This is utter rollocks,

To do the coastal route you have to work the weather and sail/motor ie move when wind is gentler - normally early morning 'til afternoon.

From Gib you can day sail between marinas all the way up to the rias, by then you'll know the boat and can choose the direct route to Ushant and beyond or work the N.Spanish coast for a bit before heading over to France.

The offshore route is great for time at sea if weather does what it's forecast but why miss out on such an interesting trip along the Cadiz coast, the Algarve and R Guadiana, then Portugal and the rias ?
 
VO5 said:
Done it back and forth four times in all.
If you choose the coastal route, don't hug the Spanish and Portuguese coast.
Get a good offing of at least 40 miles away from shipping and fishing boats and then head for Falmouth.
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That distance, means at least 8hrs + away from shelter, should you need to run in from heavy weather.
Last time I went up there, on night watch could smell the flowers & wood smoke off Lisbon.
When crossing Biscay, the direct route from Finisterre/la Coruna to Ushant, will also put you inside any major shipping lane.
 
>To do the coastal route you have to work the weather and sail/motor ie move when wind is gentler - normally early morning 'til afternoon.

We left in April and it blew all day and all night . Eventually we stopped in Northern Spain, there was no wind in Biscay so we sailed out to a low in the Atlantic and reached back to Lymington in three and a half days.

Heaven knows how long you would have to wait for a period when the wind drops early morning to 'til afternoon, I've never seen it and the last thing I would want to do is stop in every marina.
 
By your own admission in previous posts you had a bad trip up on your passage and also in your own words would never do it again IIRC - fair enough ! but please don't scaremonger people with your (1 and only?) experience of this coast.

and the last thing I would want to do is stop in every marina

You never know the OP might want to see places of interest on this coast ! (there's lots of them)
 
I made a passage from Portimao to UK this year (May/June), was gale bound in Cascais for several days, then plugged against the weak contrary south flowing current and strong contrary northerly winds as far as Camarinas. Spent a couple of (planned) days there before a fast reach across to Lymington. I've made this passage several times and never felt the need to head off in the direction of the Azores as others suggest. My engine is my friend and if I need to get a better angle to the wind i dont hesitate to use it which I did most of the time, running up the Portuguese coast (about 4 miles off).

As an aside, i actually came very close to wrecking my boat on this trip, came out of Cascais and set the tiller pilot to steer a course. At some point I lifted the cockpit locker top and in so doing lifted the autopilot off the tiller pin. Didn't realise my mistake and went below, when i popped my head out about 5 minutes later i discovered we were heading straight for land at 5 knots and were probably less than 100 yards off! I just threw myself at the tiller and we came round with literally a few feet to spare - no excuses at all, absolutely my fault, my personal confession!
 
alant said:
That distance, means at least 8hrs + away from shelter, should you need to run in from heavy weather.
Last time I went up there, on night watch could smell the flowers & wood smoke off Lisbon.
When crossing Biscay, the direct route from Finisterre/la Coruna to Ushant, will also put you inside any major shipping lane.
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If you encounter heavy weather off the Potuguese coast it is most likely because of a depression coming in from the west and that implies a lee shore situation which I don't like
I prefer to get a good offing allowing me to choose to weather it at sea...or.. as you say run for port but there again depending on the circumstances of the case.
In an anticyclone like the one you obviously experienced the strongest smell is olive oil cooking, very distinctive.
You are right about shipping lanes. One has to avoid them and skirt them.
The other alternative is harbour hopping, if you can afford the time, makes for welcome interruptions to the monotony.
 
VO5 said:
or.. as you say run for port but there again depending on the circumstances of the case.
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As I understand it quite a lot of ports along the Spanish & Portuguese coasts are closed (or not advised) in a big swell or strong weather from the W. So although you may be close to them, they are not necessarily harbours of refuge when the need arises.
 
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